I watched and enjoyed the brief, out of order episodes that fox played before they did their usual and dropped the show. I have to get the DVDs or rent them one of these days so I can actually see them in the proper order.

How could you say that, Slacky? Did Puni Puni Poemi damage you that much?

On Firefly: I downloaded the first couple episodes, saw the bar-room brawl, thought it was kinda cool, then they jump to a scne of a nightmare about being operated on, and I had to turn it off. Syntheticly altered female? Too Anime for live action. I'll give it another shot later, though.

I saw the preview for serenity, and I can sum my reaction into one word:

10) Red is SO much cooler than grey.9) No matter what is fired at her, if Aisha is determained enough, she WILL kill you.8) The McDougals Would have chased Mal out the galaxy.7) When the guns yeild up, there's always caster shells.6) Twilight Suzuka Can also conserve your ammo5) You've got to get to the galactic layline in something more snazzy than a cargo ship.4) Serenity can't win in a fist-fight.3) When all-else fails Melfina can fold into a convenient tote bag.2) I don't care how tough you think you are, there are kung-fu fighting, space-ship blasting housecats in this universe.

@Nerdo: From what I've heard of the advance screening's that have been shown (while desperately trying to avoid spoilers), the movie IS a little more difficult for the casual movie-goer to get into then the fan, but it's not impossible. I'd say that watching the series (it's only 14 episodes, anyway) is reccomended, but not vital.

Nix came over. He brought Firefly DVDs. I shall now squarely eat my words. I can see that there are several ispirations from several sources, but it's not a rip off at all, of anything. Firefly is a beast all its own, and it's a beast I've become accotin to. I now mourn two wonderful sci-fi series killed early by dumb fox executives.

My friend (who's huge into anime) is correct in that Firefly does indeed 'borrow' quite a lot from certain anime serieses. He still likes the show alright, but it's definately annoying that every other episode has some reference to Outlaw Star or Trigun in it. For those not familiar with those animes, it must seem fresh. But for those who've seen it, it just comes off as 'been there, done that.' Not to say it's a bad show: I fully enjoyed the three or four episodes I saw at my friend's house. Still, it's not necessarily as groundbreaking as fans would like you to believe.

edit - and the actor who plays Mal looks a lot like Jason Bateman from Arrested Development. That weirds me out.

I've seen all of Firefly and Trigun. I've seen (pitt, help me out here - how many discs did we watch?) of Outlaw Star. Other than the odd homage here and there (girl in a box! space western!) I'm not getting the ripoff vibe at all. Honestly, I'd compare Firefly more to Star Wars than anything else.

@evan: I'd say the "groundbreaking" bit would be the camerawork. How many other scenes involving spaceships and the like in any other show/movie/whatever can you think of where they zoom in and the ship is out of frame and out of focus? I love the camerawork.

YOu completed 3 of the 6 outlaw star discs, Nix. And in one sitting no less! I'm sure Gene dressed as Wolfwood was more than enough compensation for this feat though.

Things I want in Serenity:-Reavers-River's backstory flushed-Saffron cameo-At least two refrences that make me point at the screen and say "I KNOW WHAT THAT'S FROM!"-Inara's return-Kaylee to say "Golly!" at least once.-Folk soundtrack-Earth.-No aliens.-Space combat-gunslinger combat-A cameo appearance by Yasuhiro Nightow, Hongo Mitsuru or Watanabe Shinichiro

A geek can dream can't he?

Back to the TV show: Heart of Gold made a good run at the plot to "Unforgiven" and had some decent moments and scenes, with the exception of one or two cheezy lazer effects. Then cut into the well edited daytime-soap sex and super suggestive on-screen action and dialogue for a shouldn't do that on television feel. Everything flows right up to the end (which is why I felt compelled to write a review) where Suddenly Inara freaks out and delivers a monalogue that sounds more like Felicity than Firefly. After seeing a few episodes, I wanted the show to go on, but not at the expence of turning it into ANOTHER toughy feely girl drama. Hopefully Serenity will land them on their feet after this pretentious cliffhanger.

Things I want in Serenity:-Reavers Yep-River's backstory flushed Yep-Saffron cameo Heard nothin', sadly-At least two refrences that make me point at the screen and say "I KNOW WHAT THAT'S FROM!" Well, um, maybe. That's not really something I can answer, is it? And yet, I tried anyway. What a fool I've been <seppuku'd!>-Inara's return Know it, thank goodness. That woman is pure gorgeous.-Kaylee to say "Golly!" at least once. Well, I certainly hope so. Teehee.-Folk soundtrack Apparently not... I think it's going to be more sci-fi-esque orchestral, which is sad, really.-Earth. No idea.-No aliens. Yeppers-Space combat If the preview is anything to go by, yes.-gunslinger combat Well, it wouldn't really be Firefly without it, would it?-A cameo appearance by Yasuhiro Nightow, Hongo Mitsuru or Watanabe Shinichiro So many kinds of doubting.

Is the whole cast from the TV series in the movie? I saw a trailer for Serenity before the new Batman move and I don't remember seeing the hot mechanic chick in the preview. It was the only movie preview of the bunch that didn't make me want to vomit (like Stealth: Oh no! The drone got struck by lightning and now it's evil! Run!).

If anyone needs a refresher on the series, Sci-Fi channel is running it (weekly I assume) starting Friday at 7:00 PM EST. I assume they'll show it in the correct order unlike our favorite TV station.

That SW vs. FF list could spark a heated argument, but I'll let it lie for the time being.I'll just say that I'm getting stoked about the movie. The reviews are good and even though there has been no sign of the series or the movie over here, I'll probably try to get my claws on it.

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